2019
Japanese whaling ships officially resumed activities after a thirty-one-year hiatus.
Japan ceased commercial whaling activities in 1986 but continued whaling for scientific purposes. It’s long been the position of many in Japan, including the nation’s Prime Minister, that there are only a select few species of endangered whales; thus, whaling isn’t a big deal.
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2004
The Cassini–Huygens spacecraft became the first to enter Saturn’s orbit.
The spacecraft was a collaboration between multiple international space agencies and consisted of NASA’s Cassini probe and the European Space Agencies Huygens lander. It took seven years for Cassini–Huygens to reach Saturn, remaining there until 2017.
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2003
Tesla Motors was incorporated in Palo Alto, California, US.
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1997
The UK returned Hong Kong’s control back to China after 156 years of British rule.
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1991
Court TV was launched on American cable television.
The show aired live footage of trials as well as reality legal dramas.
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1984
The Motion Picture Association of America introduced the PG-13 film rating.
The PG-13 rating advises that some material in the film may be inappropriate for children under the age of 13. The first film released with this rating was John Milius’ Red Dawn.
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1979
Sony’s iconic Walkman first went on sale in Japan.
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1963
The United States Postal Service introduced ZIP codes for US mail.
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1941
The US aired its first-ever TV commercial.
The ad was by Bulova Watch Co and cost just $9!
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1921
The Communist Party of China was founded with Chen Duxiu as the leader.
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1916
The Battle of Somme began.
On this day, the British Empire and France went to war against the German Empire during World War I. The battle lasted until November 18, 1916, and up to 1.3 million people died.
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1916
The first of four fatal shark attacks happened on New Jersey shores.
The attack happened at Beach Haven, where Charles Epting Vansant from Philadelphia went for a swim while on his vacation. He was taken to the hotel manager’s office but sadly died of blood loss.
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1908
The Morse code distress signal “SOS,” originating from Germany, became the world’s official message for help.
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1862
Congress banned polygamy, stating that those who are caught are to be punished.
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1847
The first US postage stamps were issued.
Two different stamps were issued: one featuring Ben Franklin, which cost 5 cents, and the other featuring George Washington, costing 10 cents.
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1810
King Louis I of Holland abdicated in favor of his son Napoléon Louis.
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